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o THE NORTHERN STAR. ¦ - ;:_. —^——-- ___...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Hkywood.— At A Recent Anniversary Meetin...
francs for peculation , but in England no notice is taken . To-morrow night tliey wonld have a large meeting ; tbe ; would have tbat Market place quite fall ; tbat p lace wbich wag the slave marker , but whicb , bjr _Qa-i ' s blessing , before he had done with Nottingham , should be the freeman ' s mart . ( Applause . ) To-morrow night , his old guards , with fustian jackets and blistered ham's wouMleoaauty ; tbey would be all policemen ; tbej would ba os guard to wptch tlie _freedom of election , and shonld they see Sir Jobn Hobhouse go into any house at nigh ? , tbey wonld ask Mm why be did not go by day ! If tbey saw any of his committee coming , they wonld tell them to employ their time in a _belter way , as " >•¦ electors were under protection , and their house , well
watched and guarded . ( App lause . ) it'Aen were any bribery practised he should ta « be CtarJ . it member , for _bewouMpetitioa the House of Commons . ( Hear . hear ) Didtbeyfind an _^ baogeinbim ! ( _Cnesof'Ho . ) Had tbey changed from him ! '( Cries of 'No . ') Now he wished tbem tolisten to an important fjct . There arenownearly 40 , 008 men with families , members of the Chartist Land _Campany . ( Applause . ) They have paid above £ 70 , 009 towards tbeir own redemption , and at this moment they were in possession of £ 20 , 009 north of land ; and while he was there his _ajent bad been _bidding for five handled more acres of laad ;•> be added to the quantify tii . - now have . Is not lhat alesKS ' d ? Men are _buying t _& eir liberty , not fi * btin £ for it , a thing be never conld ask tbem do , as be knew tbey must be
beaten . To-morrow night be would not take one stitab of bis clothes off , nor until the poll closed . ( Hear , bear , and applause . ) He would not ask them be was addressing to do a duty which he . would not do bimseU . He sat ug all nfc jt lor _spurge , and now be wonld si : up for himself . Hewo-. kedfot Sturge , bat would not _al _' _owMm _lopayhis ( Mr O'Connor ' s ) expenses , and be would ask wrethar Sir John Cim Hobhouse and Ur GUborneconlusay wk-theJJr O'Connor conld wilb truth declare , tbctbebad never travelled a mile nor eaten a meal at the expense of the public . ( Applause . ) Wben the _pcop ' o ol Nottingham bad done with him he hoped -tbey would pay his W 3 ges and discbarge bim . Though tbe man at tbe Journal migbt not know it , be bad been bailiff ef tbe land , and manager of every department , anri
lis * not _charged _afarfhing _' s expenses . ( Applause . ) He was on his iiitecath year , and he appealed to tbe only _tribner ' . b- ever conld appeal lo , whether be bad done bis duty . Vf hat wonld Sir John Hobhouse and Gisborne say : _£ tbey could throw up their bats snd delare they had not belied _tlulr _principles and dishonoured their pie -ges ! He thought some of the treasury notes would find tht > way here , and be Lr . l been told lhat some of tbe poor electors would vote lor Sir John Hobhouse and Feargus O'Connor . If so , that was an awful position _farpaorGIsb'ue . ( Laughter and applause . ) He was to ' . A that many Tori . 3 were going to vote for him Irom a hatred to Sir John Hobhouse ; he knew they did not like a Chartist , but lie was not surprised ac their _virtn-¦ oas _indignation , as g .-ntlcmen , at tbe conduct of Sir John
IIoS ' : _ouse . He did not care what tbey called him , so that be _ccnldbs made a t ; st to upset a corrupt system ; there e . by any other name will smell ' aB sweet , ' and there Tore , no _matter howihey called him , so that they wonld but v . - .:-j for bim . { App ! . use . ) Jfow for a word on _freetrader wheat fell yesterday in London Cs . ; in _Nottingham flour rose—but if men grew their own wheat i ley would not care about rising or falling prices . The man _atthejjeraaf nvnld not know tbe occupants of this land hs had lately bought : they were so fat , so fijc , so good looking and handsome , but formerly tbey were tf " a , careworn , and miserable . ( Hear , hear . ) It gave bim no small pleasure to say , tbat out of the £ 70 . o & 0 , no ? ess than £ . 40 , 009 badDeen stolen out of tbe beer shops . ( Applause . ) Was not that something ? II any man _shoa'd receive a forged note , or a bill of £ 5 ,
£ 10 ., £ 15 .- or £ 20 ., and wonld bring tbe money to him and prove that he bad received it for his vote , be would give such voter £ 50 . This would indeed enhance the value of his vote , and it would be worth while for any elect rt- attempt ibis dodge . ( Applause . ) He spoke ol tbe good old times , when they had blue lambs , and _taunrcd the Tories with not being able to make the slightest , exhibition of popularity . Promising to chastise Sir Jobn _Hobhoaci freely at the hustings far his apostecv _, and ta remembet his friend Hr Gisborne , he called for three cheers for the People's Charter ; three cheers for Thomas Slingsby Duneombe , tbe man of tbe people , and three cheers for Frost , Williams , and Jones . Three extraordinary groans were given for Sir Jobn HnWiouse and Mr Gisborne , and three cheers for Mr Feargus O'Connor , when tbe meeting separated .
THB _DOMINATION . Tbe nomination of candidates for election , to represent tbis town in Parliament , took place on Wednesday last , in the Exchange Hall , wbich was crowded to _overflowing _, ifp to the preceding _evening , the oldest inhabitant cannot recoHcct seeing tbe peoplegenerally take so slight an interest as they did on the approach of a ' general election . No bustle , no excitement , no agitation ; erery bodyin tae dark as ta ibe future , and few _thinkiBg npon the past with any d ; gree of satisfaction . Abont twenty minutes pist ten on Monday night , Mr Feargus O'Connor arrived , and the first active sign of a contest exhibited , was the hold ug a public meeting in the Market-place , on the Tuesday evening , when Mr Feargus O'Connor delivered an address ( for a report of which see the previous
eolumc-. ) , to the electors and non-electors assembled . No public meeting was called by Sir John Hobhouse , or Mr Gisborne . nord'd tbey , as we hear , make any attempt to canvass the electors ; and , therefore , tbe whole of the candidates nominated , stood npsn the same ground , none of them having solicited the electors , except by pricud addresses . An hoar before the doors of tbe Exchange Hall were opened , a tolerable crowd of Chartists collected and stood waiting for admission ; the Meads of the _candidates having been previously admitted by ticket , through the Police-court . Vpou the hustings we observed Colonel Chatterton , Rev . B . Carpenter , Mr George _Rawson , Mr C . Swann , Mr Sheriff Barber , W . Cripps , Esq ., mayor , Mr Wm Enfield , Mr H . M . Wood , Mr K . _Swsno , MrR . Morley _, Mr Carsham , Mr J . Leaver , Mr Small , Mr J . Bradley , Mr J . Hall , Mr M . Browne , Mr
Sweet , Mr Taylor , ( surgeon ) . Mr T . Wakefield , Mr Cartwright , Mr Aid . Vickers , Mr AW . Heard , Mr lake Hardy , Mr Aid . Bskhead , Mr Aid . Bkkle , Mr Aid . Judd , and three of tee candidates . On Sir Jobn Hobhouse and Mr Gisborne approaching tke hustings ; tbe ball resounded with groans and yells ; but on Mr Feargus O'Conuor appearing , he was greeted with loud and enthusiastic _cheering . On the doors _being opened , a rush , but not So violent as we bave seen on similar occasions , tout place , and the large space allotted to tbe public was soon filled , ami'st sbont ' ng , cheering , cries , and groaning . The pro : eed : ngs were opened I y the proclamation being made , and tbe precept and bribery a < _"t being read by Mr Onderslier . 5 _"Siv . inn . After _lha usual formalities bad been gone through , without a tin-le word uttered by the officers _beinz beard , silence was ca _' _Jefl ac . obtained .
Mr Sheriff Barbeb , addressing the electors , said , the proper period in tbe business of tbe day had arrived for the nomination of persons suitable to represent tbis toirn in Parliament ; he would not occupy their time more tham to say tbat be hoped that tbey , as homst men , would & : ve to evert speaker and candidate a fair and impartVil _bearing . _( Iliar , hear , and a voice— ' There is but one honest tain . ' _) Mr Aid . _Bibkijj , addressing the sheriff and electors , sat . _' , tha _tima had an . ved wben be , in tbe exercise of his priril ge , should bave the honour and pleasure to propose a _gi-n'hmen to tbem , whom they well knew .
( LiughlT . _) Whatever Litle ebullition might overflow tbem , be kn ? w tiie _electors looked upon him as tbeir mcu ' , aad he had proved himself sueb . He bad for many years proved himself the most staunch and consistent friend of tbe electors that Nottingham ever retamed . _. ( Lau ; . : rr and _tremendous uproar . ) It was * hrjn » _hSneh men as tl ? Jobn Hobhouse that they » 3 nld gain the liberties tbey wanted to hare , aud they _wau ! d receive ! h « n in a just and _proper degree , ( Continued uproar . } He _wjtild not detain tbem , but at once propose Sir John Cam _HoVaouie as a fit and proper person to represent tbis town in Parliament . ( Tremendous < groans , mixes ! with _sligUt applause . ) j
Mr feaiin _Fooler seconded the nomination amidst the uproarious none which prevailed . Mr Alderman Tickers , on presenting himself , said—Fellow-citizens and Brother Electors , —You are called upon to _discharge oac of ths most important duties that belong to Englishmen , namely , to elect an individual to represent yon in _PiirVuraent ; t'jat duty devolves upon jou at tbis time , and I hive _graat pleasure in proposing to yoa an _iadhidsalla _represent this town in Parliament , wbo I am _isie will advocate such views as will tend to the we !' are of the great masses of this country , to
protect tbe interests ol all , and who will advocate tbe cause uf civil and _icli'ious liberie throughout tbe kingdom , ( Hear , hear . ) _Tii-re is one psiut oa which I am satisfied esprcially to propose _tblsgendeman toyourcossideration , aad that is , because I believe hs is an advocate for a . thorough reform in our currency system—( great nproar ) —which is pressing at tbis moment upon yonr labour . ( Continued uproar . ) I was saying tba : be would advocate a reform of our currency , but withont going further into _particulars , I will at _oncz propose Thomas Gisborne , B _= q , as a fit and proper person to represent yon in Parliament . ( _Lacgbter , groans , and nproar . )
Mr AlOEEMAS _Bieein offered a very few words , rendered inaudible by tlie various cries and tumult , and tben _seconded tbe nomination of Mr Gisborne , Mr Morr , on rising , was received with load cheering and waving of bats . His speech b _.-gan as follows : — } f _on-eleitori ol Nottingham—I rise to propose an individnal to yonr notice , tbat will not only say he will do his dnty , _; buthe will do his daty . ( Applause . ) 1 rise to _propase an individual that has done his duty for _jfifceen years . ( Gi _^ atcbeering . ) I ueed scarce tell yon that that gentleman is Mr _Featgus _O'Connor . ( Tramendous vociferation and waving of hats , and ciiesof " Yes , yes—that ' s bim —we ' ll bare him ; " ) We bring him forward as an advocate of the People ' s Charter . _( _Lau-1 cheering . ) That document contains Universal
Snnragc , which we hold to be the right of every man . { Mr Mott then went on to enumerate tbe six points , eulogising each as he went on , and then continued . ) This small document nearly paralysed the last _governm-nt ; and jou bave the declaration of Sir James Graham and £ r Hubert Peel , that they granted free trade in order to stay the progress of democracy- I ask you whether you can stay the progress of Democracy now 1 ( _fremendina uproar of approbation . ) Mr Mott tben went on lo eulogise Ur . O'Connor and the _fond-scfaeme , and presently adverted to Sir John ' s speech ajear ago , ia which be ( Mr Mott ) was charged with ingratitude , _jvumach M te Sir John and his friend , ha owed his tight wrote . Bus he denied , asserting that it WU to the people , _- _^ _rfw forced the Reform BiU _throagh the _faoasj , tftat his _jratitwie « u dne , nd concluded ta
Hkywood.— At A Recent Anniversary Meetin...
_propping Mr O'Connor as ant person to represent the cons tituency . " '" _- Mx Hemv seconded the nomination in a looglsh speech ; " in which he took occasion to complain of Sir j „ lin's _ncgieatof his constituents , and of Mr Gisborne ' s l , ro > Hner » to take a walk out of the house when be ongbt ¦ o lie in it . He denounced the factory-system , and told < Ik . ' . - ve _representatives tbat it was their duty to visit the poor of t ' _-itir constituencies , and make themselves - . hoioofibly acquainted w > th tbeir circumstances . This vas the seeond lime be was ever before a public meettig , but < o _stromr'y was he roused by a sense of indigi _aiion rt tue g- ntieman _' s conduct , tbat he felt himself _oblige *! to _denauueeit . Mr Hemm further made reference lo ihe framework-knitters' Mil , and accused Mr Gisborne « f calling tbat class of operatives a profligate « _.-la « _s ; but Mr Giiborne cried ont , "Never , never . " The speaker alter a few more complaints , sat down amid enthusiastic plaudits .
The Sheriff called for silence , when Sir John Cam _Hnbbonse arose amulet tremendous yells ; tbe honour _, able bat onet _, however , was informed by the sheriff there wa » another _cwuiidat ? , on understanding which Sir John _resumed his seat . Mr John B . _iwlev , solicitor , endeavoured to make himself heard from tho other end of the _roem , but the confusion was so great tbat it was impossible to understand more than that he proposed Mr Jobn Walter , pin ., of Bearwood , as a fit und _prober _persoa lo repte-« nt the town of Nottingham . He would say that he and his friends bad no objection to take Sir John Cam Hobhouse , or Mr Feargus O'Connor , with Mr Walter , jun . ( Brtrcme _agitation and confusion ) Mr T . B . _REnciTE , solicitor * seconded the nomination .
After great difficulty , a passage was made for Mr Bowfcy and his _seconder , wbo went upon the hustings . Meanwhile Mr O'Connor got on his legs aod called out stentorlously , * order , ' ' silt-nee , '' silence , ' and on obtaining an audience , he said , I have one word to say to you ; I bave come here at much for the purpose of exhibiting your improved condition , as for anything else , and all I have to beg and request of you is , tbat you will KIT 0 a patient and quiet hearing to every speaker tbat m : iy address jou . If yoa do not , I will not speak at all . Let _usbava a fairst . ud _ufSghtfor it tltia time . let these gentlemen ( turning to Sir Jchn Cam Hobhouse and Mr Gisborne ) go back ' 0 London and say tbat thty left the working _claries in Nottingham in a highly improved state of mind . Tou will require of me to make some _comm'Dt , on what may fall f-om these gentlemen on my ripht band , and to enable me to do so , I have only to request th . it every man wiil be a policeman and keep order , and just hustle any noisy fellow out of tbe meeting .
Sir _Jouh _IIobuodse rose amidst uproar , groans , snd confusion , but at length , order being restored , be said . I am bappy tj find and to say tbat , on this occasion , I have met witb the same courttmus and candid behaviour from the candidate on my left , with which he greeted me wben be and I stood upon these hustings twelve months agro . I _» m happy to find tbat be is prepared to repeat this generous , and » t tbe same time , this just andptud . nt policy , for it iB generous , just , and prudent , wbich he exhibited en tbat occasion , and having said this much , I may aho remark I have nothing iu the least to complain of in tbe speeches which tbe mover and seconder of the nomination of Mr F . O'Connor have delivered . AU tbat tbey said was io the spirit of fairness , and in such a spirit as ougbt to be _exhibited by those wbo appear on
this most important occasion , upon which Englishmen can appear in the conducting of publie affairs , ( Cries of ' Order , ' order . ' ) lt is true , as those gentlemen have observed , that of course this is an occasion on which we are called to give an account ef our stewardship . ( Cries of 'order , order , ' and much confusion . ) For thirteen years , and on six successive occasions , I have had the honour of having your confidence bestowed upon me . And if I have neglected my duty , certainly tbes I ara much to blame . ( Cries of "You are . " ) For having bad such repeated proefs that you are willing to trnstto me this charge , wbich is the molt'dignified it is in fact the all important charge _tlat can be entrusted to an Englishman ; I say , if I bave abased tbat trust—if I felt that I had , I should b : ashamed to place myself
before you , ( Cries of " Tben jou are ashamed , " with noise and confusion ) But I feel tbat of course my endeavours have not » o any extent come up to my wishes because my abilities have failed ; bnt I do not possess tht same eapacity perhaps that many you are acquainted with do , but up to tbe extent of my abilities , I bave labourcd for your success , and , before I sit down , I hope I shall be able to show you that I am not so unacquainted with the wants and wishes of the labouring classes , that I hive not _nejlecieJ to come amongst you , tbat I have not neglected to inquire into your wants , nor to consult your feelings and wishes , and tbat I have in fact done that which my hon friend , tho proposer of Mr O'Connor , says I on ; ht to have done . So far from neglecting tbe labouring classes , the important part of your community , the basis of society , audits superstructure ; it is tbis
which forms the basis of society , and however that _supsrstructure may taper up to the end , it is you that form the really , the solid , the substantial foundatien . Now , allusion has been made by one of those gentlemen—I mean tbe seconder of Mr O'Connor , and here , I must take tbe liberty of _sayiag of that gentleman , that if tbis is the first or second time on whicb he has ever addressed a public assembly , he is tbe most apt pupil I _everbcaviin my life ; for one more capable of uttering bis wishes and tbe sentiments he tliit : ks be ougbt to express for your good and for tbe welfare of the t -i . nty ; I say a gentleman , one most capab / c of doing justice to yonr thoughts , I never beard in my life . ( Confns 5 : > 3 . ) And , _gentitmea , it is a pron < l consideration , audit IS that which distinguishes _Ka _^ _lUhraen from nil other countries iu the world : —It has
been my fortune to bave seen a great deoi of other countries-, there ii scarcely _ayorlion of Europe in which I have _nc : placed my foot , and it is in England only , where yon can have worn tbe constitution of society , an _oppsrtunity of bejn _^ callcdforih ' o express tha wishes o . _' tlie great masses of the community , and doiug it with grace , and propriety , and force and effect , which would do credit to an accomplished orator , ( Applause . ) Tbis is the production of the stato of souieiy . I do not say it ma ; not be bettered ; God forbv ! I shonld ; let us labour to improve tbe condition of _m-tnkind ; let us not be satisfied with the pood we have ; let us ende _.-vour to make that good better , and that which we feel to be imperfect , as petfectaswecan . ( Voice , _« We shall not belitve you . ' ) The honourable _seconder alluded to tbe
great question , which though not lately , yet for manyyears aas agitated society , and has been tbe topic ol discussion out as well as in Parliament . I allude to tne factory question . Allow me to ask , have I been idle with respect to the _inctory bill t I should like to know wbo made the factor ; bill , which is at this moment tbe law of the land—whose framing was it ! . It was mine . ( Hear , bear , and applause . ) And after the labour oi three years , unsupported as I was in the House of Commons , I _brought it forward—not in ihe state you now set it . but on thst day having no seconder , I _foai-d it _impot-« , " _ule to carry n , _Iiordg pcucer brought it in again , at a session I was out of Parliament , tbe only one out of twrnty-seven _ycirs ; he brought in my bill again , whith _iflhfdbeen i ~ aorant of tho w .- . nts of the people , 1 could not have framed , and the measure in its present shape was passed into a Isw . ( Applause and uproar . ) This bill of mine was Cie consequence of a compact
and compromise between the lubouiiD , ; classes _t . nd the master workmen at my own bouse , iu London , where I they met week after week , and year after year , and agreed tojether . Alter it bad been agreed to , my friend , Mr Biot _& erton , not being then in Parl' . _- . ment , wiih two or three others , amongst whom waa Mr Hindley , who agreed to tbe compromise—I thought as that was tbe case , It would be dishonest towards the masters , ifl proceeded furiber _. _Lhd that wes the reason why 1 was content with tiie bush ot the late factory act , But to say tbat during a long time I have not _thonn , and beta ansious to show , that I was acquainted with your condition , and tbat of persons equally in the same condition , I must take the liberty , with all humility , meaning to boast of nothing , that it is contradicted by the _wholeteoor of mj life . This is one of tbe topics mentioned , nhl ; _-li A _i- {' io sake of Justifying my own character I iavj _Ji _' . ' _adid to .
Mr llemm _taid it was not intended for Sir Jobn Hob . house , but for Mr _GUbarne . Sir John Cum Hobhouse said—Well , tben , with revac J . uU » i . nuts o ( difference between us : no two ot those he was addressing were exactly identified In tbeir sentiments ; he would , f jr instance , take the Charter . Ce knew some gentlemen wanted to have the six points ; son ? wanted : _"> ur ; and some others thought that they all might be better contrived . Mr O'Connor had said tbat the good of lUep ople shoa'd he the object of all governments and act •; ol' Parliament . He agreed that it ought to be S 3 ; and he also agreed nlth Mr O'Connor that it was not eo ; he was not there to flatter Parliaments or stat : stncn , and though be belonged to tbe _government of tbe country , he would not say there wire no mistakes . l _' aV . _'ic goo 3 ougbt to be _Jbf . -.- " object of uuMicmen , but i ; wouU be wondetful _indeed if men in hi _^ _; _slalioo _?* vcrofreei .-omfaults ; ;! : _oje who here to
, do < ie most I _islnessceramit the mosi _faultc , and fall into t e most mistakes , wbicb shows the imperfection of han > _-i _' . l : y . Instead of _btlng aston _' sbed lhat such _indivtfuqbmadeso many blunders , be _bought it was a wonder tbrt tliey did net make a great many more . [ Confusion . ) He would grant that it was the duty of tbe electors ta detect tbe errors which nere committed , and when trey did _defect tbem , not only to try to mend tbe errors , bnt if tbey could , tj t jange tbe lystem of government , wbich was the parent of those errors . Was he aft . _< d o change ? He might say that in tbe early p « i _ofhisi _;* e belaboured to _tfllctone of the greatest changes that was ever witnessed in the civilized world . ( Hear , an-J applause . ) He did _nst labour in vain , and bev ... _snitafta'd of change . If they would convince him that there was anyone who wonld do more good for _tiieroamunify of wbicb tbey mie a constituent part , he should not complain of the change . A vo' . ce—Won ' t you be for the _ChMtw ?
Sir J . Hobhouse would be for anjthing that waa really shown to him to be for their good . He did hot comp lain of Mr O'Connor baviog their confidence , but on toe contrary , if tbey wished to prefer bim , he hoped they wonld keep their best reward in future _applanation . ( Uproar . ) Wiih respect to the democracy of tbc country , it is a democracy in whick ne live ; _«*> not this an appeal to it f Was it not an _appeel to the great masses of the country '—did not tbe constitution oblige tbOle who are entrusted with tbe Government to appeal to the democracy ? ( Hear . ) It would be idle to contend to tbe contrary . He trotted it _wst 9 _fdj ai to tbe aode « i
Hkywood.— At A Recent Anniversary Meetin...
doing good , and that tbey did not differ as to wishing to do good ; In short , it was only as : o tbe means of doing it thct they differed . I trust , sr . ld h <> , it will be hocessary for me to _remind you of tbe great diffiieulty with wh _' eh Her _Majeslj ' _n pr sent rdvhe-a havo had to contend ; _you _areeware , no doubt , and have felt it your _, selves , tliat a great calamity , a great visitation of Providence— ( _ciies , Jo ' .: l and uproarious)—has fallen upon tbis country , and also upon your brethren in Ireland . A calamity such as I believe is unexampled iu the history ofthis country , _an-1 if we bave nut _bsen able during tbe late session of Parliament to 0 . 3 that which might otherwise have been done , it must bj attributed to the monster calamity we bad ti contend _nith , and which we were obliged to _compete with before we could attempt
other measures . It is true that various measures contrived for your good , more tban I could mention , were introduced into Parliament , but , owing to this grievance —( uproar , yells , and confusion)—we were unubfe to mature tbem . But if it should please the people of England , that her Majesty ' s present advisers should continue to administer the affairs of the country , 1 can say conscientiously they will not fail in their trust to you _. They aro not negligent of their duty ; they know from what source tUe ' vv power is derived , and to tbat source tbey are willing always to appeal . I do not know that it wiil bo necessary to intrude more upon you . Yon hare other gentlemen who will address you . ( Loud uproar . ) And you will Vienr yout favourite , _laBkfrom
you a candid consideration of my conduct , I ask only a fair and impartial recollection of what I huve done , and what I have endeavoured to do . ( Laughter and yells . ) Now , gentlemen , I will close—( cries of ' order , ' ' order , ' ) —I will close what I have to address to you by saying , that I fio not wish to stand in the way ol better men than myself . If you prefer Mr O'Connor , take _hjm . ( Many voice ' » , ' We will bave him' ) Shall I repineshall I complain if be be tbe object of your choice ? You are tbe best judges of which will be the most useful to the community and to the country at large ; and if you ceme to the deliberate opinion tbat ho is preferable , I certainly never will repine at your choice . ( AppJausdf uproar , groan ? , and disorder . )
TBOMis _Gisbobne , Etq „ rose , and , being saluted witb groans and hissing , said : You havo made me aware that I do not receive at your hands tbe same favour with which you have before received me , or with which 1 have been used—( cries of ' We neve _% shall show It , ' )—for nearly twmty years to be . received by popular constituencies . Depend upon it , gentlemen , I shall not come before you with a whining supplication , that you will again make me your representative , I stand here to recognise your full right to reject me , without giving me a rebson for so doing . I recognise your right to say to me , you have served our turn , we have no further occasion for you , now go about your business . —( Telia and _erest noise . ) I recognise most fully that right iu you and in every other constituency , and I confess nt
once tbat I should have no right to complaint But I call upon you , as just and generous Englishmen , to recognise also my tight to stand before you , and to state to you respectfully , but with much confidence , tbat I have faithfully , and fearlessly , and . zealously , and diligently , according to the best of my strength aud ability , discharged tbe trust tbat you bare placed in my hands . Aud as somewhat of a slur is cast on the integrity of my _orincip . es and conduct , I must request your patience while I state the circumstances under which I became your representative , ( Star , bear , and disorder . ) 1 was in two parliaments before a reform took place in parliament , and l took a part in the straggle , an active part , being a young member of parliament , and iu consequence of this part , I became , on the passing of the
Reform Bill , after the struggle was over , the representative of a division in the county of Derby . I sat for the county during the time of Lord Grey ' s administration , and as I stand now for the last time on a popular hustings , I am certain of that , whether I am returned or not . ( Uproar and ( lissa _tisfaction . ) I am Quite certain tbat after this Parliament I shall never seek again to undertake the labour and responsibility of representing a popular constituency ; and under these circumstances I will mention some facts in my public life to which I hare never before been in the habit of ndverting . Lord Grey , during bis administration , offered to me a lucrative and honourable foreign appointment . My answer was , I preferred to remain an independent member of Parliament . ( Hear ,
hear , and applause . ) After that , a dissolution ef Parliament took plaee , when William the Fourth dismissed the reformed members , and placed thegovernment in tbe hands of Sir Robert Peel . The electors of Kor _. th Derby _, shire again placed me in the situation of their representative , without a contest , " . and I took a somewhat active part in the debates of _Parliament which resulted-in turning out Sir Robert Peel . ( More uproar and cries about frame-rent . ) I will come soon to the subject on which I have beeu charged on the present occasion . Lord Grey did me the honour to write me a letter , in which he stated he would wot cffi « v to roe one of tbe uBdcr situations in bis government , which was then alone at his disposal , but he expected soon to make arrangements by wbich he should offer me a situation ,
whicb , to use Mb own complimentary language , would be adequate to my talents and Parliamentary position . The answer wbich I made to Lord Grey was , I preferred to remain an independent member of Parliament . ( Hear , hear . ) I find no fault with those who take an opposite course Itis right that those who have the most ability , and are the most active , should rise to the highest situation in the State . I merely state it as my own peculiar position . Tbe dissolution of Parliament then occurred , on tho death of King William the Fourth . I was ill , and I neither expected myself , nor did my medical adviser expect tbat I should overcome it ' ; under these circumstances I voluntarily relinquished the representation of North Derbyshire , and my constituents paid me what I shall always think the highest honour that oan be paid
by a constituent body , as tbey virtually _nt-ked me to name wy successor . I named my brother-in-law , Mr Evnns . ( Much dissatisfaction , and cries sf' frame-rent - , ' < let us have something on tbe monetary question . ' ) And he has since remained their representative , and I have no doubt he will be returned next week without a contest . It pleased God to restore my health , and I came back to tbe natural desire of renewed active exertions , and I say it is an honourable ambition to be mixed » p in thc House of Commons with the greatest transactions in the world . I appeal to my honourable opponent for the first time ; I appeal to him whether he lias not an honourable ambition , for he himself being in ihe House of Commons , time after time his feelings revert to the same scene , au J ho feels that it is in the House of Commons that he can
most eSi ctivel y serve hi 6 country . Under these circumstances I returned iuto Parliament and represented an Irish constituency ; I will not go into this matter ; I did not find it pleasant , and I did not seek to renew my _connection with that constituency . From tbe beginning of the present Parliament I was not a member of tbe House of Commons . On a vacancy occurring I was desired to come to Nottingham , and you made me your representative . Now there were at tbat time two subjects , one of which was paramount in the public mind all over tha eountry , and one , partly from local circumstances , had taken strong hold on the feelings of the people of Nottingham . The first was the subject of free trade . I am _aesused of nothing on tbis subject ; - therefore will not enter at large upon it ; The other was the
subject ofcomplete suffrage , and I carae at that time to the most complete understanding viith the electors of Nottingham on that topic , and I stated to them what I shall state tu day . I had always spoken in favour of tbe ballot ; and with respect to tbe _qualification of members I had always voted against tbe qualification of members of Parliament , With respect to universal suffrage I am fer the most extended suffrage which id ccnsistent with an efficient registration . With regard to the payment of members of Parliament , _though 1 never expected to receive anything myself , yet I fully recognised tbat it was desirable wc should have in Parliament men who could be only there on the principle for beiog pa : d for their services . I recognised the prin . ciple of the desirableness of mt * of all classes of the community , and I wish to have men there knowing the exact wants of the working classes . These were the professions I made before you on ' the hustings and
at a public meeting when I was a candidate four years ago . I believe the _nuestion ofthe Factory Bill was never mooted to me during the "hole of my oleclion for the borough of Nottiogham . I will state fairly what my course in _referent to the Factory Bill was , long before I came to , Nottingham . I opposed the _Faitory Bill first when it was the T « n Hours * Bill brought forward by Sadler , when _I-ird Ashley supportcdit , and on all occasions . You might not be aware of it , but I arrived at a somewhat unenviable notoriety through tbo medium oflticbard Oastler onaccouutof my opposition to this bill . I opposed it because I believed it to be a most tyrannical bill , ( Groans , uproar , and confusion , ) Will you hear md ( Moreuproar , groaning , and yells . ) Tell me if I am wrong , but bear what I have to say to you , ( Moro hideous cries . ) I believe it to be an oppressive bill to tbe working classes ; itis a bill that begins at tbe wrong end ; it ought to have _stcuted the w _4 ges before it had shortened the
time . ( Applause . ) It tries the experiment at your expense and at your risk . ( Hear , hear , ) The factory owners go to tke poor man and say , we have made up our minds in our wisdom that ten hours a day ia _suflldent ( or you _tolabaur ; and I think so , and who does not think so ? but the poor-man says , _suppoee the ten hours a day will not supply me and my children with food . ( A voice , 'Then we'll go to . the parish .- ' Much disorder and confusion . ) hear eome gentleman who hasgltenthe very answer ; _hesays , ' Let them go to the parisb , _'that is the very thing . Itelljou there is no Parhament that ever was elected that would have bad the hardihood to try such ut experiment on any other class of men except the working classes , and they only try it on them , because ibeyure feeble , lhavc always been advocate for
an putting into your owahauds the means of standing up for yourselves and guardi Bg _yourewn interests . ( Loud appJauss . ) I am sure if , ou _hadbad Universal Suffrage , with an efficient registration , the Factory Bill wouli never have passed the House of Commons . Now say I am mistaken , but do not impute to ma that I have done anything derogatory to my _poUtlcal character . I wai an opponen t to the Factory Bill when I first appeared _befoieyou _. and if you turn me out , and you have a perfect right to do so , still do not say thatit is because I have violated any pledge , or have acted on any principle contrary to the expectations son had a right to form of me , ( Great _COUftuiOIl , and _v j _\ _'"" _newO _Tk-knitters' Bill—let ' s have that . ) Now , it is said that I do not know the itate of _thttttw aewOTk . Vnitters , and tbat I do not feelfor them s i _« od I tort faitrd jt _iMlj , t « t «« tk « t I _faMledlhai !
Hkywood.— At A Recent Anniversary Meetin...
siss-i _^ S with them ind their families . I state fearlessly , ther _isnoimmntand . in this place who has a more direct and _penonal pecuniary interest in the welfare of tbe _framework-knittersthanlhave . I happen to have property in foiir parishes in Leicestershire , and three of these parishes arc perhaps the worst stocking parishes in the whole county of _Leicester _t _Whltwlck . Murkfield , _Shecpabeafl , and Newton Milton \ « ad in _theso parishes , in _consequent of tbe insufficient price paid to tbo framework-knitters for their _ttbrk , it has been the habit
to make up their wages out of the poor-rates . In two of those parishesJlihave land which has been for several years paying moro for the parish rates , than It has paid me rent as landlord . Is it not then my Inter . est tbat tbe framework-knitters . _sheuldi receive such _wagesas tom » ke such payments as these unnecessary ? Why every shilling that was . s _^ v ' ed > ifrom these rates would go into my pocket as landlord ; If , therefore , it was practice ' , _temako a law to compel tbe master hosiers to pay higher wnge 6 , do you not think it Is my intcrcst that such a law should be . made . ! Fer the relief of tho _frumework-knltters _, Sir Henry Halford brought in a biU , but I think you have had a very imperfect representation of _thecourie which I took on that occasion . ; That bill—I do not say _Itbii myown authority , I say it on the authority of Mr Thomas Duneombewas a bad bill , but - he would give it a second reading .
The first clause , he said was quite Impracticable ; tbc second wus unjust , and the third was quite unfit for tho object , and "there was hardl y . , a clause in it calculated to do any good , ( Much _dliffltdcr . ) I , _therefore , opposed the second rending , ( _MortTftproar , ) I should be obliged if you would givo mo a fair hearing . ( Hear , hear , bear . ) I thought it was fair tothe framework-knitters not to taunt them with any idea that good could Dome out of any such a bill _. There arelhree of the most important members other Majesty ' s government who supported the factory bill , and have been the _causeof its being carried , who held out hopes that it would improve their Bitnation .: I put it to her Majesty ' s government : I said , you have taken this course to improve the situation ofthe factory operatives by law . The _framowork-knitters are ten times worse in situation than the factory operatives , who live in comparative luxury , while the framework-knitters are living
in the deepest misery , It is the business of any government , believing as you do that you can mend their situation by law , to take their case in hand and to give them relief , if law can give them relief , arid it is ouly by the government such a course can be taken , The Vice-President of the Board of Trado got up to answer me , —but ; gentlemen , you are hot aware of tbecourse ofproceedings in the nouBe of Commons . This was tbe morning sittings on a Wednesday , which ceases at G o ' clock , and the adjourned debate did not take place till three weeks afterwards , when her _Mojestj ' s government took no notice of what I had said ; tbe bill was rejected , and there it
ended . ( Disorder and . confusion . ) I maintain it ' _fear-Ussly , that if you can be relieved b y law , Itook the only course to relieve you , by calling upon the govern _, ment to come forward and to . give jou that relief . 1 believe I am riot accused with respect to civil and religious liberty . ( A voice from the hustings , ' You are . ' ) lam . I am not aware that I was _aecused . ( Mote disorder and confusion . " ) I had not heard of it before . I voted against the grant for the College of Majnooih ; not from any disrespect to tho Catholic ; but I voted against it , as I would have voted against a grunt of public money to Baptists , er Wcsleyans , or Church of England men , or other denominations ef Cbriatiaus .
( Hear , hear , and applause . ) I votedagainstthe education bill . ( Several voices , ' That is quite true ; ' We'll turn you out , ' and laughter , ) Mr Duooan : You aro a great tyrant . ( Cries of ' SU down ; ' 'Turn him out ; ' and much confusion . ) The honourable gentleman then proceeded—This gentleman says , I voted against tho education of thu people . I voted _aguiust the education of the people being undertaken by government . One would suppose by what is said , that government were going to edu cate the peoplo from some fund of their own ; but as the government take it out of tbe taxes , it must first come out of your pockets , aud be applied as tho government shall think fit , for your particular benefit .
( Tremendous noises and uproar . ) I will not detain you ; all I aBk l » fair play . I have generally supported the measures of her _Majestj's government , and I have done it from feeling tbe existing difficulty in wbich they have beon placed on account of the affairs in Ireland . It was with the utmost reluctance that I consented ta 8 ee _« tbe people of England taxed in order to provide for tke . people of Ireland ; but I believe the emergency was so great and so sudden that it was necessary . The health of _towoft was a good bill , and one that would have been good for the town of Nottingham . ( More disorder . ) Will you bear witb me for one minute while I state some things I _ljare strongly disapproved of in the _course that has beep-adopted by ber Majesty ' s
government . It was shabby , _just . a . t the close of the seesion , to bring down a _^ jiSll from the House of Loids to make a bishop of _Manchester / and to carry it by the votes of tbeir regular _Sppenents ,. and against those wbo are their regular supporters ; of this act I . disapprove . There is another matter , and that Is a bill for regu lating . tbe monetary affairs of this country ; I believe that it _ift oppressive to all classes of the country ; I was one of its-. steady opponents during the time . it was _passed : the ' _reinever was so much balderdash ' talked as about this bill , both by the then government and the present government ; they are equally bad , and equally ignorant on this subject . My right honourable colleague _knovts that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will
talk for fivo hours together on this subject , o which be _lihows nothing at all but what he learn t of William Clay , aud tbat is all wrong . The quack arguments by whicb the bill is supported are _biginning to have their real value in thc estimation of tbe country , and whoever maybe the member * of the neit Parliament , it will be greatly modified . ;; I am now in your bands , and I believe the re is no mnn to whom the result of this contest is a matter of greater indifference , as far _aspersonal feelings go , than myself . There is a point on which tbere ought to , be perfect freedom of communication between a member ana his constituents , I bave heen in very _great d jubt whether , with the degree of health and strength I have , I ought to take the responsible trust again , and had it not been that I felt I owed it to you and tbose . who have very
kindly supported me in Nottingham on a former occasion , I should not have appeared ot thc present time . I am now in your hands : if yeu choose to accept mv services for another Parlirment , I will servo you as honestly as I am able . ( A voice , * As you have done . ' ) I have novcr sought one private advantage from being a representative of any constituency . I feel it an honour to be entrusted by a largo constituency ; if you choose to bestow that honour on me , I will accept it . ( A voice , 'You sba ' u ' t bave it . ' ) And if you do not , I shall part from you with tne most perfect Ie- ling of good humour and respect ; and I believe , whatever you may have expressed to me to-day , when you think over my conduct , that you will not at home sincerely and seriously find fault witb it . ( Applause , groans , and uproar . )
Mr O'Connor , on rising to _^ ddress the meeting , was received with every mark of welcome and ap * probation , and commenced liis speech amid the applause of all . the voices , and the waving of all the hats , in the body of the place . After repeated cries of " order , " silence was at last restored j whereupon , Mr O'Connor began as follows _t—Mr Sheriff , Electors , and Non-Electors of Nottingham : Upon several occasions I have stood before you for the piirpose of aiding the best man you conld get to aid you to the possession of your rights . I have skirmished for faction , hut now I am going to fight the battle of the nation to the last—( great cheering )—and t am going to give these geutlemen , who , from
the earliest period to the present moment , have been bandied like shuttlecocks between two battledores , an opportunity of opening the borough of Nottingham , and of henceforth having some fair share in the representation of this town . Heretofore , Nottingham has been as close a borough as any of those that disgraced society hefore the Reform Bill . Upon occasions like these , we are always prepared for novelty ; but such a novelty as we have witnessed to-day , no constituency , I am certain , ever witnessed before . Progress is admitted by the right h onourable gentleman on my right ; the progress which the people haive made is admitted by him . That the people are the foundation of all wealth , and owght to be
the _foundation of all power , lias been admitted by Sii John Cam Hobhouse this day ; and he has also told you , that those who have most to do , always do the most mischief ; and that in order to get them in the right path for the future , the system must he changed ., ( Laughter , and prolonged cheering . ) I stand here upon this declaration of Sir John Cam Hobhouse , to give my aid to change that system—( hew , hear)—which he and his colleagues are obliged to commit error to perpetuate . ( Laughter . ) But I ask you , gentlemen ( turning to _tlje gallery of the hustings , which was principally occupied by the friends of the late representatives ) with a stake in
the country , for you are the superstructure , as be has told you ; aud you ( turning to bis own supporters ) who are the _ba 6 _is of society I _WJKl _^ _^ you if , upon the eve of greaUvents , both foreign and domestic ; if upon an occasion like ihe present when _yjm are called upon now to gfa a _renewal 0 _J a seven ycarf _* ' tenure to men wha aay they are capable of carrying on the * ff « rs of this country ; I ask you , if you ever heard so _trwagre , so unsatisfectory , so insignificant , so puerile , so childish * n exbi . _ohion as you have bad to-day from a Minister of the _. _Crovm ? ( Great _cbfwlag and dwturbance _. ) Gen .
Hkywood.— At A Recent Anniversary Meetin...
tlemen , while the right honourable baronet admits progress ; while he comes be fore you upon his con sistency , and the good works ef his government , you have this anomaly , which affects both of the gentlemen who have formerly proposed your representatives ; neither of those gentlemen have ventured to ask for yonr support for them now ; and ihe gentleman who proposed the right honourable Bart _, said be did so because his life had been staunch and INCONSISTENT . ( Laughter and cheers . ) Now , there was a representative for the electors of
Nottingham ! ( Hear , hear . ) I he gentleman who proposed and _secojided him saw the advantage of the old adage , —Vir sapitqui pauca loquitur . They had Uttle to say , and they said that little badly . ( Laug hter . ) And then comes the right honourable barone t himself , and even upon the eve of great events , he fails to redeem the pledge he gave twelve months since . He then told you that it was an important thing . "You may rely upon it , " says he , " although I cannot say what the thing will bethat the thing will be done . " ( Loud laughter . )
Now , I would ask the right honourable gentleman to say what was _« the thing ? ' I will tell you what it was ; it was the noble lord's thing . ( Great laughter . ) NoWj gentlemen , I would ask you where we are to look for this little thing ? ( Renewed laughter . ) I would ask you where we are to find this little thing ? I have looked for it in vaiB , and it is nowhere to be found . The people of this country have been looking to the present Government for great things ; and the right honourable gentleman now stands here as a Minister , and
modesty and duty should bave induced him to give a developement of their future policy . What do you know , now , ot what this important personage is preparing for you ? You have not had ihe manliness , the courage , the self-interest , to test him upon any one great point . [ This was spoken at the supporters of Sir John . ] You have not said one word to him about the foreign policy , which resents every petty insult offered to our flag , and winks at the annihilation of a republic . You have not said
anything to bim about the Portuguese intervention . ( Hear , . hear . ) He bas not told you a word about a Foreign . Policy which is likely to embroil you in war . ; He has not told you of the kindness witb which they interfered with Portugal , nor the dastardly way in which they allowed the abduction of a mere girl , tbe Queen of Spain , and smoothed the way for the King of the French to the throne . ( Hear , hear . ) He has not told you one word of that single infliction with whicb he is prepared to double you hereafter with a double infliction . He has not
told you one woid of the intention of Her Majesty ' s Ministers to silence tbe voice of tbat country ( Ireland ) by prostituting the priesthood of that country . He has not told you a word about the endowment of the Catholic Priesthood which they have in contemplation now . But I know my conntrymen better than he knows them ; and no man alive has a better right to speak of the rights ofthe Catholic people of Ireland than I have ; and I tell you , you cannot destroy their religion , nor corrupt their priesthood . ( Loud applause . ) It has been
nurtured in the cave , cherished in the cavern , hueged as a priceless jewel to the Weeding heart of the dying martyr , embalmed in the victim ' s grave , and enshrined in the nation ' s memory—( shouts of applause that made the building tremble , )—and do you venture to hope to _reduce to prostitution the faith , the virtue , the religion that you failed to extinguish hy force , by fraud , and persecution ? ( Renewed cheers . ) Hope it not , sir ; my countrymen have preserved the national faith through centuries of oppression , and its glorious priesthood will die in
Us honour , rather than relinquish their triumph . You hoped to make an alliance with the Pope , in order that you may silence the national voice ; but you will fail . You came here to saddle upon » iy country a reason for not doing justice to your own country . ( Loud cheering . ) You say that you had not time te perform all that was necessary for Englishmen , because the wants of Ireland pressed so hard upon you . Thank you for nothing , sir , ( Laughter and cheering . ) When did you relieve Ireland ? When starvation threatened you ? You were the famine
government , the soup-kitchen government . ( Cries of derision . ) You would not have tendered the fostering hand , offering a farthing in a pound to Ireland , if you did not dread starvation . But whatyou gave to Ireland you have taken from the English people ; and what right had you and your judges _4 hd officers to receive the same salaries , your fundholders , and your pensioners , and prostitutes ? What right had you to tax the English people to relieve my countrymen ? ( Cheers . ) And then , sir , tbe right hon . gentleman tells us that , _'iGod
forbid , he should stand in the way of one that will carry eut what he considers necessary . " Why should he then , stand in the way ? All this i « maudlin nonsense ; this is all old woman ' s talk . ( Laughter . ) He has acted precisely the same part in Nottingham that Mr Hawes has acted in Lambeth , and Lord John in thc City . Have we not a right , say the people , to ask a man what he will do ? ( Loud applause . ) And , says Lord John , that would be shackling a man with a pledge ! But who would not pledge a coachman , to ascertain whether he
could drive ? and so with yonr representatives , tliey are your servants , and nothing more . Yon hire them as such , you pay them as such ; the duty is honourable if they discharge it conscientiously ; but if not , then it is dishonoured . ( Applause . ) I call upon you now to open the borough of Nottingham , and show to Sir John Cam Hobhouse , that he is no longer to dragoon you , or obtain by false means the support of those who hold the vote only in trust for you . ( Long-continued plaudits . ) Then we turn to his hon . colleague . He appears to have a most
extraordinary memory ; he remembers all ths _acte of bis juvenile days , alibis tricks , and so on —( laughter ) - and recollects his disinclination to be banished to foreign countries . ( Laughter . ) He also recollects all the correspondence be bad before the year 1832 , and afterwards , with Lord Melbourne ; He has given us an auto-biography , but he altogether forgets tbe circumstances that transpired here four years ago . ( Laughter . ) He forgets the Charter ; and wben I told him that equal electoral districts was one of the points , lie said " No , it is
not : " he did not know that it was , althoug h I pledged bim to it four years ago , ( Laughter and cheers . ) He seems to forget that now . And why ? Because he has that convenient memory which suits candidates in his position . ' ( Hooting and laughter . ) Then there is this anomaly ; here are two gentlemen claiming support equally from the royal loyal Whi g party of Nottingham . What have they done ? The hon . gentleman bas accused the right hon , gentle _, man . ( merriment and applause . ) The Rt . hon . gentleman has been his greatest accuser . He says , upon
the Factory Bill , " I opposed it because it began at the wrong end . " " I claim your support , " say * the right hon gentleman , " because I framed the Factory Bill . " ( Much amusement in the body ofthe Hall . ) Then , Mr Gisborne says , « W hy , " says he , « as to the Banking System proposed by Sir R . Peel , and adopted hy Lord Jo \ m Russell , it waa twaddle , it was nonsense , aud both are equally censurable for it . " Now what do you say for two gentlemen standing wpon tbe same _interest —( cries of «« No , no "
, from the Whigs . ) thus accusing each other ? ( Derision and applause . ) And tben he tells you , that those measures wbich ought to bave been passed , were not passed j snd then he says" I do not see the reason why the people ; jo _£ England should be taxed to support the peoplc ' of Ireland . " "As to education , " he says , " I voted against it . " Now I am , to this extent , against the Edu cational Bill . It did not go far enough ; And while they accused _Catholic of being the most ignorant _pewotif in
Hkywood.— At A Recent Anniversary Meetin...
society , they had no right to rob the ( _JiT _^ the purpose of educating the p rotm _^ « n object to thc Educational princi ple , _itn _'' If I did not go far enough . But the ' hon _^ " _" 'i goes farther , and say , "I was _oppoJTlN Framework-knitter ' s Bill , although I asfced ° \ vernment to do what the government thou _v _*** right . " When did be oppose it . ' When _"f _' ** an unlicked shape ; and he opposed its < , _^^ committee . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) _"OhlbH . " tbe hon . gentleman , " I understand m 0 re 1 _^ than you . Mr Duneombe says , the first 1 _^
bad , the second clause is unjust , the third ci l impracticable ; and , therefore , I feared t 0 _^ . ' _^ committee , lest they might lick it into $ hw _? * " ' " No ' ' says the hon . gentleman , " I _^ _^ h it . " Admitting the ignorance which the rwhu "'" gentleman has admit * ed _,- —that they are s 0 jit _i'" '' err , tbe least thing Mr Gisborne could do , _w ) , was asked to support a bill in which his constit " had an interest , was to have allowed it to » - _^ committee , that he might hear all that was said _^ it . After all lhat has been done during the nt _^ session , I ask the right honourable gentleman Qr _^
( looking at Mr Uisborne ) what good you have fa _, I ask you ( looking at the Whigs ) upon what g J ; you will support either of these gentlemen f 0 rl f future ? Perhaps you may tell them you _% _^ them because you oppose me . Gentlemen , the tj has come when truths / and stern truths must be _tnU , and thank God , I am one of those who , after 23 years ' agitation , can now stand before a public meet , ing like this 5 and I would ask you to charge , with one single inconsistency , and show that I h _^ not been an advocate for every one good thing th « you have done . ( Immense applause . ) Where 1
was ten years ago you are now ; ( loud approval , ) yot persecuted me then for being where you are no * ( Increased applause . ) In tea yews tame , when _y , ' are more fleeced , more humbled , more robbed , _^ will be where I am now . ( Excessive applause \ The time has arrived wben you must listen to tru (/ , _j . you must go with the progress of the nation . ( j en ' tlemen , you see what is going on abroad ; doy ou not see the principles of Communism , oi _Bepub _]; . canism , of Revolutionism in France , and elsewhere ! Looking at what has transpired in France , you will find , by the tyranny of Louis Philippe , the clubs , 3 _^ the students , and the people , are preparing for revofo . tion . I have been called a destructive ; an infidel
an adventurer and a drunkard . ( Great commotion . ) I am a drunkard who never was tipsy in his lift , ( Amusement and cheers . ) I am an infidel who devotes every hour of the day to the service of his God , ( applause . ) I am a destructive who never inflicted _pu . nishment upon a dumb animal . ( Applause . ) I am aa adventurer by spending thousands in a cause _whici I would die rather thandesert . ( Excessive cheering , ) Look at what is going on in France ; and remem . ber , it was the ' three days " in Paris that gave m the Reform Bill ; and it will be owing to honest , re .
jected , unenfranchised peasants ( turning to the populace ) that you will owe / our salvation when the day comes . Because I bave sworn tbat howevet other countries may be dyed with blood , not one drop of blood shall be shed in England . And why ! Because the hatred of your measures has tried the value of our moral power , and shows it to he greats than your physical force . ( Bursts of applause . ) Tbey tell us that they have been beneficent to Ireland ; and that they have supported Ireland . They have not given Ireland one farthing in the
pound . Ireland is your Poland , —no , it ' s worse . ( Hear , hear . ) The air of Poland is redolent ofthe fresh blood of her murdered freemen , who perished in their country ' s defence , while the atmosphere of Ireland is tainted with the putrid exhalation of her famished sons . ( Tremendous cheering . ) What then is Ireland good for if one blighting shower , one visitation of Providence , is to destroy the hope of a nation ? and yet your Uttle Lord , for fear he should lose the support of the monopolists of the country , allowed it to go on , —
allowed the artillery and dragoon' horses to be fed to bursting ( "Shame shame ! " ) while the _peopla were dying of want . ( " Shame ! shame . ' shame ! _' _*) Soldiers are to have tbeir rations , placemen are to be fed . and prostitutes supported , yet in the midst of all this the people are to starve . ( Great commotion . ) Gentlemen , the time is come when you must have a government that is the type and reflection of your own opinions . There is not a man amongst you that does not feel the truth of every assertion I am now making . There is not a man amongst you
that henceforth will not be obliged to act upon it . If you allow the ministers of the crown to come before you , to make a bow upon the hustings , and then say good by to you until they want your services again ( hear , hear , hear ); if you treat ministers of the crown in tbat way , farewell to the liberty of Nottingham ! Better that you were disfranchised at once ; ( Great excitement . ) But if the people were formerly uneducated , if before they did not deserve and merit those privileges , I ask , in the midst of famine , could
a people be more submissive ? I ask you , whether ia the midst of bad trade , such as has prevailed during the last nine months , whether there has been asingle outbreak , a single ebullition of feeling ? And if I have gone through the legitimate course of ag itation , do not blame me . In ' 39 I found the people mad . In ' 39 yeu goaded thera to resistance , and then tortured them because they did resist . I was the mad doctor then . _^ Laughter . ) I did not then speak to them as I can now speak . By degrees I administered those mental drugs which have now brought them to
be the most thoughtful and industrious peop le oa the face of the earth . ( Immense approbation . ) And I now assert that the people of England are better prepared for liberty than the people of any other country ; because in France they have not the power of discussing their grievances before they change their government . In that ami other countries , they look for the destruction of a bad system ; in flu ' s country , they look for the attainment of a good system .
( Prolonged cheering . ) You never will see a change in France except by violence and bloodshed ; and the moment the last drop of blood is shed , the middle classes and aristocracy will take all the power . In England the cose is different ; we are pulling a long pull , and a stong pull , and a pull altogether , until at last they will pull down to the ground tbe temple of corruption . ( Great excitement . ) And now about Mr Gisborne—an answer came from the end of the
room when he was speaking , " Well , if they don't employ us , we'll go to the poor-house . " It was an argument against him , but he took hold of it aud twisted it round . Sir , it vm tbe overworking tS _» at has led to diminished wages . I ask you what is the duty of the government . The rig ht _honoiaable baronet bas told you tbat labour is the source of all wealth , and tbe duty of the government is to cultivate the national resources to their greatest possible capabilities . I ask if government bas done its duty with the seven millions per annum in poor rates they are now laying out of your P _^^ J * I support themselves . ( Intense excitement . ) I see * -
to cultivate the national resources of the country and , gentlemen , ( addressing those on tbe hustings ) don ' t you suppose vainly and _foolisbly-whether je « are shopkeepers ot manufacturers—that when all other classes are represented , the labour class alone suffers ; Jet labour be represented , and you wiU _&• feet the greatest good possible to all . ( Cheers . ) * defy you to make a peasantry whose labour is remunerated , a revolutionary peasantry ; and if there are any view at all in the working class , tell me _tbeo , and I -will trace them to their parent vices in their rulers . ( Loud cries of approbation . ) There is *> in thera one single Vice _which you cannot destroy w
O The Northern Star. ¦ - ;:_. —^——-- ___...
o THE NORTHERN STAR . ¦ - ; : __ _. _—^—— -- _____ J _^ _g > 7 , _^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 7, 1847, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_07081847/page/2/
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